For Ravindra Jadeja, the nickname Rockstar is more than just a fun label. It is tied to one of the most important phases of his career.
The nickname was given to Jadeja by the late Shane Warne during the inaugural IPL season in 2008, when the young all-rounder was just starting out with Rajasthan Royals. Warne backed Jadeja in a dressing room full of big names and played a major role in shaping his early journey in the game.
Now, years later, Jadeja believes Rajasthan Royals have another player worthy of that tag in Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
Speaking on Star Sports, Jadeja said Vaibhav has stood out among the team’s young players because of both his talent and temperament.
“The team has a lot of talented youngsters, but Vaibhav has really stood out for me. The way he’s batting, his maturity, and his mindset have all been really impressive,” Jadeja said.
“He seems to have a clear understanding of how to take his game forward, how to back his shots, and how to handle top-quality bowlers.”
Jadeja said what impressed him most was Vaibhav’s calm nature under pressure.
WATCH
“What stands out even more is how calm he is. I’ve never seen him look nervous or under pressure. He stays composed, which is a great quality to have at such a young age. If I had to call someone the team’s ‘rockstar’, it would definitely be Vaibhav Suryavanshi,” he added.
The praise carries extra meaning because of Jadeja’s own connection with the nickname.
As a teenager at Rajasthan Royals, Jadeja was taken under Warne’s wing. The Australian legend believed in his talent and made him feel at home in a squad filled with stars. Their bond continued even after Jadeja moved on, with Warne continuing to offer support and guidance over the years.
Jadeja has often spoken about how important that backing was in helping him grow as a cricketer.
That is why this feels like more than just a compliment for Vaibhav.
In many ways, it feels like a passing of the torch, from a player once called Rockstar by Shane Warne to a youngster Jadeja now believes has the talent, confidence and composure to carry that legacy forward.
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
– Ends
